But crying can not last forever. And Jessica can not stay here forever. No. It's time to face what she's done. It's time to find Matt. She walks back into the mines. Maybe he has clothes. Maybe he has food. Her stomach growls at that thought.
God, when was the last time she ate. It's hard to remember now. Was it a sandwich? No, she ignored the grape jelly and cheese sandwich in her lunch. She wishes she had that sandwich now. She would eat it no hesitation, with how hungry she's feeling.
It was a chicken taco salad. Feels stupid now. A salad. Before going on a goddamned mountain. Should have eaten some god damned Steak. With sweet potatoes. And broccoli salad. And a cheesecake for dessert. Then maybe she wouldn't feel like she's starving on top of being stuck at the bottom of a mine.
She wanders her way through the mines fantasizing about dinner. And warmth. Hoping Matt has a granola bar at least. Maybe an apple? Beef jerky? They seem like sporty things he should have? Maybe after she's eaten, she will have energy to pay respects, give him a burial of sorts.
Something at least. It feels wrong to give him nothing, to leave him abandoned in a creepy mine, body left out to rot. Matt deserves better than that. So Jess will give him better. Face her sins.
But when she gets back to the room, she can't find him. He's not there. The shovel is still there, blood dried on it, but he's gone. The kidnapper came back, and took Matt's body.
Jessica freezes at that thought. She could have been here. It could have been her. What did it want with Matt's body?
Carefully she picks up the shovel. She will need its support. And the weapon. In case the kidnapper comes back.
It's a risk, but she has to follow. If the kidnapper took Matt's body that way, they had to have come from somewhere, and maybe there will be an exit. Hopefully there will be an exit.
Jessica takes a deep breath, and walks deeper into the mines.
